HomeCoursesAutomotiveCertificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
This qualification teaches you to paint and refinish vehicles, from stripping and preparing panels through to the final polish.
- Duration: 30 months to 3 years
- Study mode: Online and on campus
- Course code: AUR32420
Where you can study this course
- Campuses
- 7 campuses
- Duration
- 30 months to 3 years
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
- Campuses
- East Geelong Campus
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Not stated by provider
- Full fee
- $21,454
- Eligible students: subsidised from $4,430, concession $888
What students say
Students rate the trainers and teaching highly, along with the student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on student support and course content.
- Campuses
- Work Skills
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students rate the trainers and the teaching highly, and many speak well of the student support, while some value the flexibility and pacing.
- Campuses
- Wangaratta - Docker Street
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $19,703
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Canberra Institute of Technology
- Campuses
- 6 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students praise the trainers and teaching highly, and most also rate the cost and value well. Many like the course content, though a number of students had mixed views on the teaching.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Chisholm Institute
- Campuses
- 7 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students rate the trainers and teaching highly, along with student support and course content. Some students found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on student support.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
Nil.
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in cars and how they are finished
- patience for careful preparation and detailed work
- an eye for colour and matching shades
- a careful approach to safety and workshop habits
What will you learn?
You learn to work with spray and drying equipment, mask and prime panels, mix and match colours using paint codes, and apply clear over base and water-based finishes. A good part of the training is hands-on in a workshop, practising on vehicle panels and components. It also covers fixing paint faults such as runs, uneven coverage and mismatched colour, along with safe and environmentally sound work practices.
- Surface preparation
- Colour matching and paint codes
- Spray equipment setup and use
- Primers and top coats
- Buffing and polishing
- Repairing paint faults
Units of competency (18 core, 12 elective)
The qualification is made up of 30 units. Everyone completes the 18 core units below, and the remaining 12 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Where this fits
Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology in automotive: the study that leads into it, the study that follows, and other routes at the same level.
Before
Certificate IICertificate II in Automotive Vocational PreparationIf you have no trade experience yet, this entry level course lets you test whether an automotive trade suits you before committing to an apprenticeship.Certificate IICertificate II in Automotive Body Repair TechnologyThis entry level course prepares you for stripping, prepping and helping experienced tradespeople on vehicle bodies, work that starts with hand and power tools rather than spray painting.You are looking at
Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
After
No later step listed.
Other routes at the same level
- Certificate III in Automotive Electrical TechnologyIf electrical faults interest you more than paint, this trains you to diagnose and fix starting, charging, lighting and body electronic systems on cars and trucks.
- Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair TechnologyThis focuses on inspecting damaged vehicles and repairing body, frame and chassis to manufacturer specifications, including welding body sections, with no entry requirements.
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).